New platform promotes sustainable tourism by train in Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire Community Rail Partnership launch TrainTripper, an interactive online platform for exploring hidden gems and independent businesses in Gloucestershire by train.

TrainTripper, the innovative platform from Gloucestershire Community Rail Partnership (GCRP), aims to promote car-free leisure trips in and around the county, integrating transport information, promoting local businesses, and highlighting some of the incredible local attractions Gloucestershire has to offer. Starting from the 9 countywide train stations of Gloucester, Cheltenham, Kemble, Stroud, Stonehouse, Ashchurch for Tewkesbury, Moreton-in-Marsh, Cam and Dursley and Lydney, users can build a personalised itinerary of places to explore, eat and stay. With train travel at the heart of the platform, GCRP aims to promote sustainable travel and active forms of transport such as walking and cycling, for visitors to reach their chosen destination.
TrainTripper has received funding from train operators Great Western Railway and Cross Country Trains who operate train services across the county and beyond. The new website has been developed in partnership with Visit Gloucestershire as part of their sustainability and Climate Action agenda.

Hannah McDonnell, Executive Director at Gloucestershire Community Rail Partnership, said: “Supporting sustainable, car-free travel sits at the heart of what we do at Gloucestershire Community Rail Partnership. The long-term aim of TrainTripper is to generate sustainable tourism across the county, support local business and help people fall in love again with their journeys by train. We’re delighted to have received such fantastic support from Great Western Railway, Cross Country Trains and Visit Gloucestershire to launch this exciting new resource for the local area”.

Steve Gardner-Collins, Director of Visit Gloucestershire said about the launch: “I’m thrilled to see the launch of such an innovative and fun platform to drive tourism in Gloucestershire. The list of carefully curated places to eat, stay and explore make it really easy for users to find great places to visit, and support local businesses at the same time. By promoting travel by train, the platform and our work with GCRP supports Gloucestershire’s aspirations to reduce carbon emissions and be net zero by 2045”.

Huw Margetts, CrossCountry’s Regional Director, said: “We’re pleased to have helped fund the development of the TrainTripper service. Its launch will open up new ideas and opportunities for people to take car-free journeys for leisure and pleasure around Gloucestershire.”

GWR Business Development Portfolio Director, Tom Pierpoint, said:“We have a specific pot of money designed to support the Community Rail Partnerships on our network who in turn work with their local communities. TrainTripper is a fantastic, pioneering project which will help to encourage rail travel to a glorious part of the GWR network, boosting local economies at the same time.”

TrainTripper encourages people to leave the car at home and to consider the train journey as part of the experience, whether they are planning a day out with the kids, a short getaway or a longer break in Gloucestershire, find out more at www.TrainTripper.co.uk.

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk